The Shining Crescent School of the Feminine Divine Presents


Artemis

by Lisa


Artemis

  Background -Festivals -Sacred to Her -A Ritual -Original Art -Sources



Background Information

Artemis was worshipped in ancient Greece, as well as the earlier Mycenean and Minoan civilizations.(1) Many people equate the Roman Diana with her as well. She is the virginal goddess of the hunt, protector of animals and youths, and helper to women in childbirth.

She has many names and epithets that help to describe her nature: Potnia Theron (Mistress of the Beast), Puronia (Fiery), Parthenos (Virgin), Agrotera (Of the Wilderness), Agreia (Huntress), Phosphoros (Lightbringer), Lokhia (Protector in Childbirth).(6)

Artemis was born from the union of Zeus and Leto. It is said that Hera was so jealous of Leto that she sent a serpent to chase her all over the world so that she would be unable to find rest to give birth. Leto eventually came to the island of Delos and was able to give birth to Artemis, who as soon as she came out of the womb assisted in the delivery of her twin brother Apollo.(3)

When Artemis was three years old she asked her father Zeus for several things: to have a bow and arrow set, to remain a virgin forever, for all the mountains in the world, and to have the companionship of sixty nymphs.(7) Zeus granted her all of that and more. Now Artemis delights in roaming the wilderness, hunting game, and singing and dancing with her nymphs.

Artemis is also a warrior goddess, and was particularly honored for this aspect in Sparta and among the Amazons.(1) She was also associated with the moon, especially so during Roman times. (1) She is strong and independent, and free and wild. She can be a strong ally to those she favors, and quickly strike down those who displease her.

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Festivals

Artemis has several major festivals.

The Mounykhia was a full moon ceremony , where round cakes decorated with small torches, called amphiphontes, were offered to the goddess at a crossroads. The Brauronia festival was for the dedication of young girls, who were called "she-bears", and had to do a special bear dance to please the goddess.(2) There was also a unique, and violent, "cheese stealing" ritual in Sparta. Two groups of men or boys were armed with whips, and one group had to defend the cheese while the others had to try to take it.(2)

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Things Sacred to Her

Artemis is often depicted with bows and arrows and wearing a knee-length tunic. She is also often seen carrying torches or a lyre, or riding in her chariot drawn by four deer. Most often her bow and arrows are depicted as being golden, but sometimes they are called silver as well.(1)

Animals that are sacred to Artemis are deer, bears, and boars. Plants that are sacred to her are mugwort, wormwood, and cypress. She is the patron of the Greece regions of Ephesus and Delos - the place where her largest temple was located, and the place where she and her brother Apollon were born.(4)

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A Ritual for Strength

by Lisa

This ritual is best done during the new moon. If the ritual can be done outdoors, that's even better to help connect with the energy of Artemis, but it's not necessary. Decorate your altar with colors that represent strength and courage to you. I like orange and red for that purpose. Place an image of Artemis somewhere on the altar as well. If you can find incense or herbs that are sacred to her, those are appropriate also.

Purifying the space and yourself in the way you normally would, and then cast the circle and invite the elements.

Begin to meditate on Artemis, and all that she is. Imagine her dancing freely in the woods, tall, beautiful, and laughing, surrounded by her nymphs. Imagine her compassion as she tends to a woman struggling in childbirth, or watches over a young girl to prevent harm from befalling her. Then imagine her in her role as huntress, wearing a short hunting tunic with her bow in hand, arrow notched and drawn back. She appears strong, and will cut down anything that stands in her way. Begin to focus on this image of her, with her strength and determination, and then invite her into the circle.

Ask her, out loud or inwardly, to lend you some of her strength and assist you with things you would like to overcome.

Artemis, lend me the courage to be myself!
Artemis, help me see that with determination my goals are attainable!
Artemis, help me to meet challenges head on!
Artemis, help me to be unafraid of change!
Artemis, help me to realize my own inner strength!

 And so on and so forth, depending upon your need. As you do this, keep holding the image of the strong and fierce goddess in your mind, and begin to imagine yourself taking on those traits as well. Visualize yourself as confident and courageous and able to take on anything. Raise power towards the goal of manifesting this vision. Then release, ground, and give thanks to the goddess. Close the circle as you normally would.

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Original Art

I made a candle for Artemis because I wanted to make something that emphasized her light-bringing aspects. The candle itself brings light, and I think the design could be seen as light radiating out from around her picture as well.



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Sources

1. Artemis: Virgin Goddess of the Sun & Moon. Sorita D'Este, 2005.
2. Greek Religion. Walter Burkert, 1985.
3. The Gods of the Greeks. C. Kerenyi, 1951.
4. Artemis: Greek Goddess of Hunting, Wilderness, and Animals. http://www.theoi.com/Olympios/Artemis.html
5. The Homeric Gods: The Spiritual Significance of Greek Religion. Walter Otto, 1964.
6. Artemis. http://www.neokoroi.org/artemis.htm
7. Callimachus Hymn III: To Artemis. http://www.chss.montclair.edu/classics/HYMNART.HTML


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